Written by: George Haralampopoulos, Executive Contributor
Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.
We have been in what many are calling “the period of a great many resignations.” The multitude of changes that we’ve experienced in the past few years in the ways that we work and live have caused many people to re-examine both their professional and personal lives and futures.
Here is my personal story about resigning quite a long time ago and the lessons I learned through the experience. The principles and insights shared with you here have been helpful to the many clients that I’ve supported and continue to support in my role as a high-performance advisor, coach, and speaker to leaders, entrepreneurs, executives, consultants, and teams.
One morning long ago, I woke up and just stared at the ceiling.
Then I asked myself, If I fast forward my life to five years from now, and I’m getting ready to go to my beautiful corner office with my assistant and manage a solid book of business that I built through tremendous hard work, how would this life be for me?
I couldn’t get up.
Turning to my wife, I said, “Honey, this is the day.”
Indeed, it was the day that I submitted my letter of resignation.
A Productive and Rewarding Career
For the previous 15 years, I had enjoyed a rewarding and productive career, despite the roadblocks and challenges along the way.
Early on, I endured a lack of prospects, a lack of predictable income, unreliable transportation, and fifty pounds in excess weight, just to name a few challenges. At the time of my resignation, I was a vice president at one of America’s largest banks and collaborating with great people. I had created a business in sales as a mortgage banker that gave me the flexibility to work at my own pace, travel, and do what was most important in my personal life.
A number of the personal breakthroughs that helped change the trajectory of my business and life were the sources of inspiration and Purpose that I needed to plan my transition into the field of personal and professional development.
After delays, I finally did it. Looking back, I could have done it sooner. As there is never a perfect time, period, or moment, it is about going for it.
The Cost of Settling
One of the takeaways of settling into a career that was no longer right for me is that doing so came at a cost. I believe that if you are good at what you do and want to perform at the highest level that you can, not necessarily because you are required to, but because of your level of integrity, you will experience similar costs. In my case, these costs were tremendous stress, diminished energy, and physical ailments.
I saw clearly that I couldn’t continue what I was doing, and that morning of revelation was the tipping point.
What Does It Take to Transition Successfully?
Once you decide to take a leap, no matter if you are starting a business, transitioning to a corporate role, and required to drive important results, or shifting to a commission-based career, the main questions remain the same: What does it take to succeed? How do you make it work?
Succeeding in today’s world however you define success as complex, and if you are considering launching a new business the statistics of failures are certainly staggering.
I’ve had the privilege to support business owners, executives, and professionals who’ve been part of the stages of starting up, growing, and maturing in the services industries and products industries. I will focus on the services businesses, as this is what I’m best known for, but the principles apply to both. So, what does it take to succeed?
Standard Practices and Focus Areas
With a few clicks, you can find millions of articles and resources on how to make your business and profession work. You can read all about business plans, corporate structures, marketing, sales, and everything else.
My business-standard practices and focus areas for success include:
Strategic Thinking and Planning.
Business Development.
Leadership Development.
High-Performance Time Management.
My mindset standard practices and focus Areas for success include:
Self-Empowerment.
Stronger Confidence.
Motivation.
Adaptability.
Personal Wellness
The Self-Empowerment Principle
There is a classic story of a lion chasing a rabbit for breakfast. When the rabbit saw the lion, it began running as fast as it could.
As the lion approached, the rabbit zig-zagged and ran even faster and burned all the energy it had. After several minutes, the lion gave up the chase and the rabbit escaped.
A monkey who had watched the entire chase asked the lion:
“How come you gave up?”
The lion replied, “It wasn’t worth it.”
You see, the rabbit was running for its life, while the lion was running for breakfast.
It is All About.
When I started my business, I was hired by a client who had given up a successful business to pursue his real passion of launching an advanced consulting business in the financial services sector. When he hired me after experiencing years of no results, he said, “George, I will either make it this year or I will have to go out and get a job.” He ended up creating a highly successful business.
The greatest source of self-empowerment is Purpose. This means clearly seeing all the compelling reasons that have driven you and will drive you to pursue your goals, visions, and highest aspirations.
Your Abundant Source of Self-Empowerment and Inspiration
When you are clear about your Purpose, you have access to an abundant source of self-empowerment and inspiration. You will find a way to make it work, even in our rapidly changing world. When you give it your all and things don’t pan out, don’t feel discouraged. You may simply need to pivot and change scope and direction. Even in these cases, your Purpose will be your leading source of strength as you embark on a new path.
It’s been said to “know your why.” I say to know your why(s), which means being clear of all your compelling reasons to make it work.
Purpose kept the rabbit running and inspired my client to make it work. Purpose has driven many of my clients to great levels of success and has been a compass in my entrepreneurial journeys.
If you are or will be planning your next transition, I encourage you to remember this: When you’re clear about your purpose, you will find a way to make it happen!
To a Life of Purpose, Health, and Success!
George Haralampopoulos, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine
George Haralampopoulos is a high-performance advisor and speaker who coaches entrepreneurs, executives, and business teams to clarify, make progress, and get results in our fast-changing world. His methodologies combine business principles, neuroscience, and universal laws. George has a proven record of supporting his clients by taking their professional and personal lives to the next level.
